Packing for a Viking!!

We are moving at a snail's pace here on readiness for this trip!  We keep gathering things, purchasing things and today was.... Compression Socks Day and buying a new watch and making sure Visa & Bank know that he will be in FL and then Norway.  Loading all the scriptures on his new Nook and trying it out.  Just small details like making sure the chip is cleared for the little camera he's taking.  His neck pillow for flight.  Finding his favorite fanny-pack. Copying some genealogy.

He's been riding his bike for 4 weeks and valiantly trying to gain strength, stamina and increased energy.  You know Vikings and their biking!  It's an interesting phenomena as he hauls the bike in his truck to his "route" and then rides with the wind.  If he doesn't take his truck then I'm given a time to come looking for him, with the truck, in case he is languishing by the roadside.  Today he took the truck and was gone so long, that I went looking for him!!  Certain he was roadkill.  I could not find the truck, the bike or him.  When he finally showed up, all rested looking, non-sweaty, he let me know that he'd gone out to Jerry's to see his new lawn mower!! 

When he worked at the North Slope and it was time for him to go back, 2 days before hand, I'd feel sad and lonely and wishing he could stay home.  So today here we are- both so happy he gets to go and both not wanting to be separated for even a week or so.  He's been declaring his love for me with sweet words and affection all day and I've gladly accepted them and returned the favor.

Jeanee has worked hard planning so many details...memories for a lifetime.  He will see a home, inside and out, that his great grandfather lived in!  

Today J. sent a note....

 The pension hotel that we are staying in was built in 1862. Can you even believe it? They renovated it and it's right in the city center of all of the old charming buildings, fisherman's wharf, boat dock etc. It should be a dream come true for Dad! I am bringing my big camera, I have to document everything!!

Terry's cousin Patty will also go with them.  Jeanee & Patty have everything planned out and the car is rented, reservations made, arrangements to meet and stay with...family that he's never met!!   

My only request is he not return home with one of those double horned viking helmets!!!  

Me?  while he's gone?....Temple, lunch dates, and try and figure out how to have more constancy with the Holy Ghost in my life.  More direction.  Better listening skills.  More worthiness.  I read the NT account of people receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and I find myself wanting.  wanting ...not in desiring.  wanting...as lacking.  okay...so I guess I actually am wanting and wanting.  So I'm going on a mini-sabbatical with quiet study and pondering.  Finding steps to spiritual growth... balanced out with Temple and lunches and visiting with friends.  Sitting on porch.  Visiting.  Being in touch with the Spirit, myself and others.  

 

  

A Mighty Long Day!

Monday blues!  Ever have one of those days where things seem out of sync, you misspeak or someone misspeaks to you?  That was a part of my day, on all counts but really it is a blip on the radar compared to real problems in life!  Humanness, with all of our frailties and emotions does surface at times, and can cause us to stop in our tracks.  Momentarily.  Hopefully.

The power of being with friends, laughing and sharing a few hours is a great antidote for regaining sensibility and a wholesome perspective, after being a little wrung out, from a quick trip through the wringer!

What a production!  Rapunzel.  This was put on by the Toppenish Creek Players.  They are a very small group of people, that varying members come and go.  They love theater.  They take on complicated, involved, demanding scripts that are filled with music.  Lots of music.  They have evolved over the years and their set designs are more elaborate, they have their lines memorized, they know their cues, their costumes are more detailed, the casting is more appropriate.  The same faithful director puts her heart and soul into it as she has each of the many years that I've gone.  They also have the same lone piano player that usually makes up the entire orchestra.  They still can't dance nor is the play blocked for stage direction so they stand in place a lot and the majority of the cast can't really sing. They usually cast a mix of some great singers and then others.  Some things tonight were painful to the ear with attempted harmony but they stay on beat and they sing their heart out.  they belt it out.  

The auditorium, that is always booked for Mon.-Wed. shows, has just a few in the audience.  Most are family or friends of the cast.  My group of 6, must have made them happy, to see strangers when they peeked out.

I love these productions because they are all about passion and heart and love of theatre and dreams are coming true for someone that might not make it "big time" in Yakima at Warehouse theater or Akins Center.  They are the stars.  They give it their all.  It's their 15 minutes center stage and I applaud heartily because they are courageous to live their dreams.

Rapunzel's hair was incredible!!  They must have ordered it.  Fun to see it hanging over the Castle wall!

So the day ended up as all days do.  Live and learn.  Enjoy and laugh.  Treasure friends.  Play. Pray. Repent. and LOVE!!!!





 

"go bag"

Hurricane Irene landed and is still spewing rain and winds.  Soon the damage will be assessed and repairs will start and people will get grumpy when things aren't fixed fast enough.  Power loss wreaks havoc.  Water damage of any sort is horrible but flooding?  Oh, boy.

The Mayor of New York, Mr. Bloomberg, tried to get the people ready sort of at the last minute.  I liked this news release....

Mr. Bloomberg, along with Joseph F. Bruno, the commissioner of the city’s Office of Emergency Management, instructed residents to take preliminary steps: stock up on basic supplies, identify an alternative place to sleep in the event of an evacuation and prepare a “go bag” of essentials to allow for a rapid departure, if necessary.

My mind went back to all of our Ward classes on being prepared by getting prepared.  Now.   All of the effort the Jackson's put forth.

I thought back to December of 2006, a couple of weeks before Christmas, drifting off to sleep and suddenly being jolted awake and wondering if I was responsible for each Ward member to have a Christmas.  Was someone waiting for me to act?  Was I suppose to contact someone? I'd been in as RSP for 4 months and was a duck out of water.   

Then my mind really got to going with....do they all have food supplies?  are they ready to be self-sufficient?  I started to panic.  The next day I started calling each home and asking point blank, to relieve my anxiety, were they ready?  Did they have supplies on hand.  They were wonderful to me.  Very patient.  Very kind.  Very honest.  Very reassuring.

I talked to the Bishop about doing more to help get the Ward ready. 

I wrote a panicky letter to the sisters telling them that I didn't even start to have enough on hand to care for them and to not count on me if the going got rough.

Eventually we had series of classes and challenges and assignments, for years, to ready ourselves.

Are we now ready?  I sure hope so!!! 

Our 72 hour packs are way beyond the Mayor's request in his suggested "go bag". 

What an absolute blessing to belong to a religion, our wonderful Church, that covers all aspect of our lives including personal preparation for surviving emergencies. 

This recent disaster inspires me to inventory our 72 hour packs and see if we are good to go, be it leaving or staying.  "Shelter in Place".  I like that term a lot.  Shannon and I had many, many conversations about being ready for whatever comes along.  Be it 3 months commodities on hand or 72 hour packs at the ready.

I saw pictures of NY people in stores, standing in front of empty shelves, that once were stocked with water.  Do you have some on hand? 

Make sure you have some sort of toidy.  a 5 gallon bucket with trash bags?  you figure it out but get ready to take care of that necessary but odorous business if you are asked to stay home.

Here is something that I feel is essential in all 72 hour packs....an umbrella.  it will shield you from blazing sun or sleet.  can be used for privacy.  a million and one uses for an umbrella.  When I saw Hurricane Katrina and that mess of handling and the mass suffering....I kept thinking-- if they each had a 72 hour pack and an umbrella they would not be suffering as much.

We are blessed beyond belief to belong to a religion that warns us, instructs us, encourages us, requests that we do these survival things.  Aren't we fools if we don't prepare.  Hmmmmm?  That familiar NT story of the 12 waiting for the Bridegroom.... Which of the 6 do I stand by...the wise or unwise?

get going on your "go bag"!!!!  

Weather Watching!!

This is a time of year that I spend time checking the weather channel throughout the day.  It's hurricane season, and I TV watch the weather front bounding forward, in it's threatening red circular jagged edge form and see it's heading right towards the Florida coastline.  That east coast State line, if you look for it, has a little point sticking out.  About midway down.  That is the Cape Canaveral and famed Cocoa Beach area.  That little triangle is Merritt Island.  I watch that spot of land like a hawk.  Precious people live there.  One of our children's family, within our 6 household make-up, are right smack dab on that coast line.  Oh, yes.  I'm watching Irene head to the States.

My SIL, Scott, was actually in Seattle and he came home a couple of days early as he knew Jeanee couldn't possibly board the windows up. She was concerned he might not be able to fly in if he waited and the wind picked up. She had done all she could.  Filled up the gas containers.  Gassed up the car.  Made sure batteries were live. Checked water on hand.  Food.  Trimmed shrubs etc. in back yard and covered all of them.  Laundry done.  Could exit quickly if needed.  

They have been through this routine lots of times.  They are not risk takers.  They have evacuated when told to do so.  They are as prepared as they know to be.  Now it's watch and wait for all of us.  The girls were disappointed that school wasn't canceled today.  If the winds hit 40mph tomorrow then they will get their wish and stay home.

My SIL's Mother lives on Long Island.  She's located on central Long Island and when I talked to Scott today he felt she was okay and if she did have to evacuate, his brother was there and would take care of her.  She's around 80. 

I've not heard from our friend Jim in the Carolinas.  He would not be foolish with his family.

I've learned a bit about hurricanes from having my darling daughter live on the Fl coastline and it's always scary but again....they are as prepared as they can be.  

Isn't the weather channel amazing with information?  They can track these storms and predict, pretty accurately, what will happen.  I know that this year when the possible hurricanes started off that Arlene was the first one but she turned to a Tropical Storm and so did Bret, Cindy, Don, Emily, Franklin, Gert and Harvey but....Irene is a full fledged dangerous Hurricane!  If she " produces significant damage or loss of life" then her name will be retired from the name pool list- right along with Katrina.    

The Internet lead line shouts out.....

BUXTON, N.C. (AP) — A monstrous Hurricane Irene tightened its aim on the Eastern Seaboard on Thursday, threatening 65 million people along a shore-hugging path from North Carolina to New England. One of the nation's top experts called it his "nightmare" scenario......

Florida is not the #1 concern of the Weathermen or the newspapers but it is for me.  I don't want anything to happen to those I love.  Aren't we all like that?

This is where the power and comfort of the Gospel come into play.  They have truly done all they can to prepare and ready themselves for this situation.  They will listen and do what the authorities say.  Now is the time for faith.  and prayers.  The projected storm path, further northward up the coast, into those heavy populated areas, just makes my heart sink.  If they were there?....wonder how my faith would play out then?

The  turmoil of the last days is rugged, isn't it? 

....but if ye are prepared ye shall not fear. (Doctrine & Covenants 38:30)

Am I really ready?

Gift of Book...should be here soon!!!

Wednesday night and Melissa and I were having a meeting about RS.  Making plans for future events.  Planning, talking and enjoying ourselves.  We were not alone in the building as the YM/YW were in full force.  Carol raises her granddaughter, in addition to caring for her husband and she carries a very heavy load.  I was visiting with her afterwards as she was waiting for her Becca to come out.  We talked about the amazing women in our Ward that take care of these YW and how the girls love them.  Carol in essence has 6, or is it 7, women who love and care and teach her granddaughter.  What a blessing the Church is in all of our lives IF we take advantage of consistent attendance and participation!  Julianna gave me 2 beehive cupcakes that she had special baked for the Beehives.  These gals go to such lengths to make things special!  I just cheer them on and rejoice again in the fact that I'm a member of the Church, have a testimony and love being a woman in the Gospel.  I support every RS woman that moves the work forward and strengthens these YW.  It is a choice association for me! 

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I am looking forward to the gift the Church is giving us- a beautiful book about the women of the world in RS.  I've been waiting for it a long time!  It should be here soon.  The quotes below have made me even more eager and curious as to the content.  It will be great to learn of the history of RS and how it has always impacted women's lives.  Are you looking forward to getting a copy also?   

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Women's Conference- (April 29, 2011)
Sister Beck concluded by telling sisters that she hoped that as the Relief Society history becomes available to them, the strength of these things will settle upon their hearts and that other things the Lord has to teach them will emerge in their study.
“Rather than prepare for a product (the forthcoming book), prepare yourselves,” she said. “Prepare to receive the Lord’s message for you. Go to the temple. Pray. Live to become what the Lord would have us all become.”

“As the Church itself grows exponentially over the years, I think there will be great value in this book for the women who join the Church to say, here’s who I am, this is what I’ve become part of, this is my specific identity in this Church, that I am not homogenized but I am a living, breathing, contributing individual and I’m needed,” she said. (August 2011)

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(A few more favorite quotes!!  let's roll up our sleeves and go to work!!)


Relief Society:A Call to Minister by Julie Beck-
Sister Beck asked the women to become articulate in sharing their testimonies by studying the scriptures. She encouraged them to develop their talents to be used to build up the Lord’s kingdom. She urged them to seek revelation by asking questions and to share what they know. She challenged them to get over the excuses they have allowed to keep them from doing the Lord’s work.


“I am grateful for Relief Society not only for its beginnings but for what it is today,” Sister Beck said. “I’m just beginning to have a glimpse of what the Lord has in mind for His daughters. The vision that comes to me sometimes is so glorious and staggering and humbling and thrilling that it is difficult to contemplate. It’s part of the vision of Daniel and the stone rolling forward to bless the whole earth (see Daniel 2:34–35). The Lord expects and requires His daughters to be involved.” (4/29/11)

Well....how about them apples?.....

So goes the old saying of my Dad!  I can't believe I figured out how to put a picture on my blog!!  I didn't have to pester Sara, who probably rues the day she ever invited me to her home and helped set up my blog- but I so appreciate her!  It wasn't in the original plan, I wasn't interested in or wanting, to put pictures on my blog but this one I couldn't resist sharing!

This is the brainchild of the inventive creative imaginings of my son's mind!!  He works for CAT and is a design engineer.  This is his latest invention.  It's been designed, tested in prototype, is in the field and will soon be manufactured and you can see my boy's "thumb" all over the place.  The World!!! 

When I saw this computer generated drawing showing the thumb, I teared up!!  This does not look like something that would evoke that emotion but it did!  My mind surged back to his birth and his childhood and his insatiable curiosity for how things worked.

The first time I became aware that he wanted to know the inner workings of things was when he was around 4 and I found, by mishap, that he'd removed the screws from my kitchen stepstool but managed to keep the steps in place.  It appeared normal until I stepped on it and about broke my neck! 

When his quest to explore would surface, he would get a very inquisitive serious look on his face.  If possible he'd pick the object up and scope it out.  When his sister got a toy called Larry the Lion, with a pull string, that let Larry say a few words....he got the look and picked it up.  We told him he could not cut it open.  When I got my first sewing machine, his face lit up, and again he was told he could not even touch it, as he reached for it!! 

We bought him a book when he was 8.  A thick book, which he still has, about how things work.  It was fascinating to him!  I think it just increased his curiosity.

And he loved the dump!  Okay.  That sounds disgusting and disgraceful that a Mother would let a child do that, much less own up to it.  But I did and he did and he loved it!  He'd haul a wagon and bring back junk that he'd tear apart, rebuild, make new inventions. (Our little Alaskan town dump was small.  Not that it's any more sanitary but... oh, I don't know.  There is really no excuse.  He went and I knew he went.  guilty.)

He had a rectangular bedroom that was the width of a twin bed but pretty long.  The bed was built up under a window and at the far end.  The light switch was by the door.  The furthest point away. (please.  don't ask why!  that's another story of house building!!)  He liked to read in bed- so he invented a string pulley system that enabled him to turn his light off and never move from the bed!  Genius!

He rebuilt engines. Puttered endlessly.  Built intricate model airplanes and never peeked at directions. Pored over catalogs.  Puzzled and explored anything with moving parts.  Invented and designed things on paper. 

After his mission and now a newlywed and excited about getting on with more of his education at BYU & right before school started, he was hit while riding his motorcycle, by a car that ran a red light.  Tough times.  Brain Surgery.  A scary thing when they take out part of your son's brain!  Dr.'s say....He might this.  He might that.  He might never this.  He might never that. Perhaps. It could be. We aren't sure.  We don't know. Time will tell. We hope.

Terry flew from Alaska to Utah. The first thing he said to his Dad when he came to was....Dad, I need a blessing.  I'm hurt. Real bad.

As he started healing he wanted his Dad to climb in the hospital bed and be by him.  Questioning and frightened he wondered if his brain was still working.  Was he still able to think?  What about his future? ...Dad, can I do math still?  My career is in my head..... Then he started reciting equations/formulas to his Dad.  For seemingly hours!  That was terrific reassurance. He was blessed to heal relatively fast in what was still the long haul of recuperation .

Today these memories surfaced in my mind and my Mother heart was tender and soft towards Greg.  I felt gratitude for his accomplishments. The Thumb meant a lot to me! 

I always look and think of things, that I wish I'd done different, to help my children become their very best selves.  With my, now perfect hindsight vision, I always see myself lacking.  I wish someone had said this to me....so I'll say it to you--

As encouragement to each of you Mothers with children still living at home... Children arrive in families as very distinct individuals with marvelous skills, abilities and talents, nestled quietly below the surface, as latent seeds.  Watch closely for little buds. Project ahead and ask- if that trait were to grow and expand, would it be productive and soul satisfying to my child?....If so?- then water it and help it expand.  If not?- nip it in the bud!

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      (surely I hear a drumroll in the background!  ta-dum!)

The Thumb!!!

To School!

Everything is hustle bustle it seems for those getting children off to school.  Today I heard from my youngest DIL, who is also the Mother of our youngest grandchild, and married to our youngest son.  Mo.  Mo is simply adorable and has her own special spot in my heart.  You would love her!  This was not an easy day for her as her youngest child, Sullivan, was heading off to kindergarten.  Some people aren't bothered by that first day of school but for others it's tough.  Sullivan wanted to do everything on his own with no help and even wanted to ride the bus alone!  That independence and confidence will be a future strength to him but today a bit of MommyNeed would have been nice!  Both survived!!

Our Ward is filled with outstanding Mother's.  Lots of young Mothers.  devoted to teaching and training their children to CTR.  They are dedicated, energy filled, and ever on call.  Some have tremendous challenges with their family make-up but they are amazing in how they handle things.  I'm in awe of their steadfastness and endurance.  They are ever trying to strengthen their charges. They "find nobility in motherhood and joy in womanhood".

Here is a site that Tamera shared with me.  You can find the details of current movies as far as what is objectionable etc.  It's very specific and a great help.  Thanks, Tamera!  

http://www.kids-in-mind.com/w/winniethepooh.htm

a good thought......

A family is more than a group of people under one roof.

Families work because all members give and give in.

They look out for each other, and they serve each other's needs.

Being a good mother means being a good servant.

Just remember, there's a difference between a servant and a slave.

                                                     

                                                                       --by R.D. Ramsey